Muschamp appears comfortable with being South Carolina’s backup option to replace longtime coach Steve Spurrier. After a 2-4 start, Spurrier stepped down in October.

The Gamecocks finished the season 3-9 under interim coach Shawn Elliott.

Muschamp is leaving the Plains for his second head coaching opportunity. The 44-year-old Muschamp went 28-21 in four seasons with the Gators.

He signed a lucrative three-year deal with Auburn worth $5.1 million in May, but the contract allowed him to leave the Auburn without penalty following the end of the regular season as long as the Tigers weren’t playing in the SEC Championship game.

Muschamp’s departure means Auburn will be searching for a fifth defensive coordinator in six years.

Auburn (6-6; 2-6 SEC) finished the regular season with the second worst overall defensive in the SEC having allowed 421.8 yards per game and 11th in scoring defense giving up 27.3 points per game.

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